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Lee JY, Bhandare RR, Boddu SHS, Shaik AB, Saktivel LP, Gupta G, Negi P, Barakat M, Singh SK, Dua K, Chellappan DK. Molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of tumour suppressor genes in lung cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116275. [PMID: 38394846 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumour suppressor genes play a cardinal role in the development of a large array of human cancers, including lung cancer, which is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide. Therefore, extensive studies have been committed to deciphering the underlying mechanisms of alterations of tumour suppressor genes in governing tumourigenesis, as well as resistance to cancer therapies. In spite of the encouraging clinical outcomes demonstrated by lung cancer patients on initial treatment, the subsequent unresponsiveness to first-line treatments manifested by virtually all the patients is inherently a contentious issue. In light of the aforementioned concerns, this review compiles the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of some of the tumour suppressor genes implicated in lung cancer that are either frequently mutated and/or are located on the chromosomal arms having high LOH rates (1p, 3p, 9p, 10q, 13q, and 17p). Our study identifies specific genomic loci prone to LOH, revealing a recurrent pattern in lung cancer cases. These loci, including 3p14.2 (FHIT), 9p21.3 (p16INK4a), 10q23 (PTEN), 17p13 (TP53), exhibit a higher susceptibility to LOH due to environmental factors such as exposure to DNA-damaging agents (carcinogens in cigarette smoke) and genetic factors such as chromosomal instability, genetic mutations, DNA replication errors, and genetic predisposition. Furthermore, this review summarizes the current treatment landscape and advancements for lung cancers, including the challenges and endeavours to overcome it. This review envisages inspired researchers to embark on a journey of discovery to add to the list of what was known in hopes of prompting the development of effective therapeutic strategies for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yee Lee
- School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Richie R Bhandare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Ajman University, Al-Jurf, P.O. Box 346, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; Center of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Al-Jurf, P.O. Box 346, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Sai H S Boddu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Ajman University, Al-Jurf, P.O. Box 346, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; Center of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Al-Jurf, P.O. Box 346, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Afzal B Shaik
- St. Mary's College of Pharmacy, St. Mary's Group of Institutions Guntur, Affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada, Chebrolu, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh 522212, India; Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, India
| | - Lakshmana Prabu Saktivel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University College of Engineering (BIT Campus), Anna University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, India
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Center of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Al-Jurf, P.O. Box 346, Ajman, United Arab Emirates; School of Pharmacy, Suresh Gyan Vihar University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302017, India
| | - Poonam Negi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University, PO Box 9, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173229, India
| | - Muna Barakat
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics, Applied Science Private University, Amman-11937, Jordan
| | - Sachin Kumar Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi G.T Road, Phagwara 144411, India; Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney 2007, Australia
| | - Kamal Dua
- Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney 2007, Australia; Discipline of Pharmacy, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney 2007, Australia
| | - Dinesh Kumar Chellappan
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia.
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Frydrychowicz M, Kuszel Ł, Dworacki G, Budna-Tukan J. MicroRNA in lung cancer-a novel potential way for early diagnosis and therapy. J Appl Genet 2023; 64:459-477. [PMID: 36821071 PMCID: PMC10457410 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-023-00750-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. One of the reasons of poor prognosis and high mortality of lung cancer patients is the diagnosis of the disease in its advanced stage. Despite innovative diagnostic methods and multiple completed and ongoing clinical trials aiming at therapy improvement, no significant increase in patients' long-term survival has been noted over last decades. Patients would certainly benefit from early detection of lung cancer. Therefore, it is crucial to find new biomarkers that can help predict outcomes and tumor responses in order to maximize therapy effectiveness and avoid over- or under-treating patients with lung cancer. Nowadays, scientists' attention is mainly dedicated to so-called liquid biopsy, which is fully non-invasive and easily available method based on simple blood draw. Among common liquid biopsy elements, circulating tumor nucleic acids are worth mentioning. Epigenetic biomarkers, particularly miRNA expression, have several distinct features that make them promising prognostic markers. In this review, we described miRNA's involvement in tumorigenesis and present it as a predictor of cancer development and progression, potential indicator of treatment efficacy, and most importantly promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Frydrychowicz
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Łukasz Kuszel
- Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Dworacki
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Joanna Budna-Tukan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-781 Poznan, Poland
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Pulliero A, Mastracci L, Tarantini L, Khalid Z, Bollati V, Izzotti A. Let-7a Downregulation Accompanied by KRAS Mutation Is Predictive of Lung Cancer Onset in Cigarette Smoke-Exposed Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11778. [PMID: 37511536 PMCID: PMC10380304 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Let-7 is a tumor suppressor microRNA targeting the KRAS lung oncogene. Let-7a downregulation is reversible during the early stages of lung carcinogenesis but is irreversible in cancer cells. The aim of this study is to shed light on the relationship between oncogene (KRAS) mutation and let-7a downregulation in cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung carcinogenesis. METHODS A total of 184 strain H Swiss albino mice were either unexposed (control) or exposed to CS for 2 weeks (short CS) or 8 months (long CS). After 8 months, the lungs were individually collected. The following end points have been evaluated: (a) DNA methylation of the let-7a gene promoter by bisulphite-PCR and pyrosequencing; (b) let-7a expression by qPCR; (c) KRAS mutation by DNA pyrosequencing; (d) cancer incidence by histopathological examination. RESULTS let-7a expression decreased by 8.3% in the mice exposed to CS for two weeks (CS short) and by 33.4% (p ≤ 0.01) in the mice exposed to CS for 8 months (CS long). No significant difference was detected in the rate of let-7a-promoter methylation between the Sham-exposed mice (55.1%) and the CS short-(53%) or CS long (51%)-exposed mice. The percentage of G/T transversions in KRAS codons 12 and 13 increased from 2.3% (Sham) to 6.4% in CS short- and to 11.5% in CS long-exposed mice. Cancer incidence increased significantly in the CS long-exposed mice (11%) as compared to both the Sham (4%) and the CS short-exposed (2%) mice. In the CS long-exposed mice, the correlation between let-7a expression and the number of KRAS mutations was positive (R = +0.5506) in the cancer-free mice and negative (R = -0.5568) in the cancer-bearing mice. CONCLUSIONS The effects of CS-induced mutations in KRAS are neutralized by the high expression of let-7a in cancer-free mice (positive correlation) but not in cancer-bearing mice where an irreversible let-7a downregulation occurs (negative correlation). This result provides evidence that both genetic (high load of KRAS mutation) and epigenetic alterations (let-7a irreversible downregulation) are required to produce lung cancer in CS-exposed organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Mastracci
- Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics (DISC), Anatomic Pathology, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Letizia Tarantini
- Epiget Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Zumama Khalid
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Valentina Bollati
- Epiget Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Izzotti
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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Davies M, Davey MG, Miller N. The Potential of MicroRNAs as Clinical Biomarkers to Aid Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:2054. [PMID: 36360295 PMCID: PMC9690044 DOI: 10.3390/genes13112054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a commonly diagnosed malignancy in women. When diagnosed at an early stage, survival outcomes are favourable for the vast majority, with up to 90% of ovarian cancer patients being free of disease at 5 years follow-up. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage due to the majority of patients remaining asymptomatic until the cancer has metastasised, resulting in poor outcomes for the majority. While the molecular era has facilitated the subclassification of the disease into distinct clinical subtypes, ovarian cancer remains managed and treated as a single disease entity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (19-25 nucleotides), endogenous molecules which are integral to regulating gene expression. Aberrant miRNA expression profiles have been described in several cancers, and have been implicated to be useful biomarkers which may aid cancer diagnostics and treatment. Several preliminary studies have identified candidate tumour suppressor and oncogenic miRNAs which may be involved in the development and progression of ovarian cancer, highlighting their candidacy as oncological biomarkers; understanding the mechanisms by which these miRNAs regulate the key processes involved in oncogenesis can improve our overall understanding of cancer development and identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review highlights the potential role of miRNAs which may be utilised to aid diagnosis, estimate prognosis and enhance therapeutic strategies in the management of primary ovarian cancer.
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Bai J, Shi Z, Wang S, Pan H, Zhang T. MiR-21 and let-7 cooperation in the regulation of lung cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:950043. [PMID: 36249072 PMCID: PMC9557158 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.950043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lung cancer occurs and develops as a result of a complicated process involving numerous genes; therefore, single-gene regulation has a limited therapeutic effect. We discovered that miR-21 expression was high in lung cancer tissues and cells, whereas let-7 expression was low, and it is unclear whether their combined regulation would be superior to therapy involving single regulation. The goal of our research was to investigate this situation and the regulatory mechanism that exists between these genes. Methods To regulate the levels of miR-21 and let-7 in these two types of lung cancer cells, we transfected miRNA mimics or inhibitors into A549 and H460 cells. Lung cancer cells were tested for proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The results were verified using a Western blot and a qRT-PCR assay. Bioinformatics was used to investigate their potential regulatory pathways, and luciferase assays were used to confirm the binding sites. Results The expression of miR-21 was increased and that of let-7 was decreased in lung cancer tissues and cells compared with paracancerous tissues and normal lung cells (p < 0.01). Tumor cells were inhibited by downregulation of miR-21 and upregulation of let-7, and cooperative regulation showed a better effect. Upregulation of miR-21 and downregulation of let-7 promoted tumor cells, and this tumor-promoting effect was amplified by cooperative regulation. MiR-21 regulated lung cancer cells directly via the Wnt/-catenin pathway, and let-7 exerted its effects via the PLAG1/GDH1 pathway. MiR-21 and let-7 cooperated to regulate lung cancer cells via the K-ras pathway. Conclusions The effect of cooperative regulation of miR-21 and let-7 on lung cancer is greater than that of a single miRNA. MiR-21 and let-7 are important differentially expressed genes in lung cancer that are regulated by the K-ras pathway. As a result, for multigene lung cancer, the cooperative regulation of two miRNAs will provide a new target and direction for lung cancer treatment in the future.
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Moein S, Tenen DG, Amabile G, Chai L. SALL4: An Intriguing Therapeutic Target in Cancer Treatment. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162601. [PMID: 36010677 PMCID: PMC9406946 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Spalt-Like Transcription Factor 4 (SALL4) is a critical factor for self-renewal ability and pluripotency of stem cells. On the other hand, various reports show tight relation of SALL4 to cancer occurrence and metastasis. SALL4 exerts its effects not only by inducing gene expression but also repressing a large cluster of genes through interaction with various epigenetic modifiers. Due to high expression of SALL4 in cancer cells and its silence in almost all adult tissues, it is an ideal target for cancer therapy. However, targeting SALL4 meets various challenges. SALL4 is a transcription factor and designing appropriate drug to inhibit this intra-nucleus component is challenging. On the other hand, due to lack of our knowledge on structure of the protein and the suitable active sites, it becomes more difficult to reach the appropriate drugs against SALL4. In this review, we have focused on approaches applied yet to target this oncogene and discuss the potential of degrader systems as new therapeutics to target oncogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiva Moein
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Daniel G. Tenen
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Harvard Stem Cells Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence: (D.G.T.); (G.A.); (L.C.)
| | - Giovanni Amabile
- Believer Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Wilmington, DE 19801, USA
- Correspondence: (D.G.T.); (G.A.); (L.C.)
| | - Li Chai
- Harvard Stem Cells Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence: (D.G.T.); (G.A.); (L.C.)
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Abstract
SALL4 is a zinc finger transcription factor that belongs to the spalt-like (SALL) gene family. It plays important roles in the maintenance of self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells, and its expression is repressed in most adult organs. SALL4 re-expression has been observed in different types of human cancers, and dysregulation of SALL4 contributes to the pathogenesis, metastasis, and even drug resistance of multiple cancer types. Surprisingly, little is known regarding how SALL4 expression is controlled, but recently microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of SALL4. Due to the ability of regulating targets differentially in specific tissues, and recent advances in systemic and organ specific miRNA delivery mechanisms, miRNAs have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the interaction between SALL4 and miRNAs in mammalian development and cancer, paying particular attention to the emerging roles of the Let-7/Lin28 axis. In addition, we discuss the therapeutic prospects of targeting SALL4 using miRNA-based strategies, with a focus on the Let-7/LIN28 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Liu
- Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (J.L.); (M.A.S.); (J.Y.)
| | - Madeline A. Sauer
- Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (J.L.); (M.A.S.); (J.Y.)
| | | | - Junyu Yang
- Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (J.L.); (M.A.S.); (J.Y.)
| | - Daniel G. Tenen
- Cancer Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Li Chai
- Department of Pathology, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (J.L.); (M.A.S.); (J.Y.)
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